Chapter 111 - How the standard was entrusted to Gonçalo Rodrigues, and how the fleet departed for Oporto

Summary

With seven naos fitted out, as well as the galleys, and supplied with all that was necessary, the Master named Gonçalo Rodrigues de Sousa, who was Governor of Monsaraz at the time, as captain of the fleet. The Master came to the cathedral well accompanied, along with all the city dwellers, the Orders and the clergy; from there they all set forth in a grand and solemn procession, with the clergy leading, and the Master close by with all the rest of the people, and many trumpets located where they would cause no obstruction. Thus with great rejoicing they carried the standard with the undifferenced arms of Portugal through the middle of the city, and they arrived with it at the Oura Gate, which is next to the waterfront.

There it was given to Gonçalo Rodrigues, and placed on the largest galley of them all, which they called the ‘Royal Galley’. When this had been done, the Master and all the others returned to their lodgings. There was a marvel the following night. There were Christians and Moors keeping watch over the wall on the side of São Vicente de Fora, close to where there stands the Chapel of the Martyrs, named after those killed in the taking of the city when it was recovered from the Moors [in 1147]. At midnight, these watchmen saw twenty men dressed in white garments like priests. Four of them were carrying lighted candles in their hands, and they went to and fro in procession entering the church; they spoke among themselves in very low tones, as if they were praying the Hours. When the men on the wall saw this, they were very startled, and began calling others to behold so great a miracle, and suddenly they disappeared.

Just afterwards, as the guards were speaking with each other about this, they saw flames of bright light on the tips of the lances that were on the towers, which lasted for about an hour. This was witnessed by seven Christians and three Moors who were standing watch on a tower.